Lauren laughed, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Check the kitchen."

He jogged inside the house.

"Don't clean out the pantry, though!" she cal ed after him.

"Or the fridge! Please don't make me go grocery shopping twice in one week."

"I'l make sure," Nathaniel offered, and fol owed Wil inside.

"So do you live with Nathaniel too?" I asked Lauren as we went in the house.

She shook her head. "No, I just make sure these boys eat right and take care of themselves. I have a condo near campus. My parents are helping me rent it while I'm in school."

"Are you a professional psychic? Do you do readings and stuff?"

She laughed. "Oh, no. I'm an nursing student."

I imagined she'd make a very kind nurse someday. "How do you know Nathaniel?"

She smiled sweetly. "Reapers don't like it when you can see them. Nathaniel saved my life. I owe a lot to him, and I care about him deeply."

Before I could ask her what had happened, she took my hand and led me into the kitchen, where Wil was making a sandwich. Nathaniel was scolding him about destroying yet another shirt.

"I'l be right back," Lauren said.

I stared at Wil as he devoured his sandwich. "You weren't kidding about needing to eat, were you?"

He shook his head and wolfed down another bite. "Nope."

Lauren returned and held out a clean red T-shirt. "Put this on," she said. "You look disgusting."

He laughed and took it from her hand without setting his sandwich on the counter. "Thanks, Lauren."

She folded her arms over her chest. "Be grateful that I'm so generous. I almost brought you down a pink one."

Wil laughed. "Must be one of Nathaniel's. I don't own a pink shirt."

Nathaniel rol ed his eyes. "What makes you think I do?"

Lauren lifted a finger. "Behave. You, finish that sandwich."

Wil grinned through his last bite and went to make a second sandwich. I stepped up to help him, and when his eye caught mine, I smiled warmly at him. He touched my arm tenderly, letting his hand slide down my skin. Another hot rush went through me, and I fought the urge to lean into him.

"I'l stay here and guard the Enshi and Lauren," Nathaniel said. "I'l have our flight itinerary tomorrow. We'l probably have to ship the sarcophagus on a separate cargo plane."

"Right," I agreed.

"I'l be in touch." Nathaniel smiled.

29

WILL AND I DIDN'T SAY MUCH ON THE WAY HOME. I got out of my car and he vanished, I presumed, to the roof. The first thing I did when I got inside, after rushing up to my room, was cal Kate. A shower could wait.

"Kate?" I asked when she answered.

"Hey," she responded quickly. "What's up?"

I braced myself. "I need you to do an enormous favor for me on an epic, life-changing scale."

"Uh-oh."

"Are you going up north for Thanksgiving?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm going with you."

She paused. "You . . . are?"

"Not real y. I need you to cover for me this weekend." I winced.

"For . . . ?"

"If my parents ask you about where I am this weekend, or just anything, please, please can you tel them that we're up north until Sunday?"

She paused. "Why? Where are you really going to be?"

I knew what I had to say to get her to vouch for me. "I'm going to be with Wil ."

"Oh my God!" she squealed. "I knew it."

I pul ed my cel away from my ear as she freaked out.

"Are you going away on some romantic getaway?" She was far too excited. "I knew he was your boyfriend. El ie Marie, I can't believe you lied to me, you hooker!"

"I'm real y sorry, Kate," I said honestly. "I just didn't want it getting back to my parents. He's older, you know, and they'd freak. Especial y if they knew I was going out of town with him al weekend. So if my parents happen to not believe me for whatever reason, can you please cover for me?"

She snorted something incomprehensible. "Uh, yeah. You're my girl. I'd lie for you anytime."

I let out a long sigh of relief and a short, uncomfortable laugh. "Thanks a lot."

"You had better tel me everything!" she chirped. Her voice suddenly grew low and serious. "Do you think you guys wil . . . you know?"

My eyes bulged. "Probably not."

"Five bucks says you do."

"What? You're putting wagers on my virginity?" Actual y, I wasn't that shocked. "You're going to Hel , you know."

"I wouldn't doubt it."

"It's nice that you've accepted your fate so graciously."

"Come on," she groaned. "I assume by now you've final y kissed him since he's your boyfriend, and you're a total loser for not tel ing me, but whatever. You're going to be alone with him for a whole weekend doing God only knows what--okay, hopeful y God doesn't real y know what. . . ."

I rol ed my eyes. "Yeah, wel , you never told me everything."

She didn't answer right away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I laughed. "Oh, yeah, you do. You and Landon?"

"El ie, I swear nothing happened."

"Don't get me wrong," I insisted. "It's cool with me if you guys are . . . together."